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July 17 -- Renewable energy and energy efficiency projects are prompting local businesses to think outside the box in the pursuit of meeting Michigan's Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). The solutions companies are using to take charge of energy consumption are exactly the kinds of projects that will be scaled back or even vanish if the RPS is allowed to expire at the end of the year.

Knouse Foods Cooperative Inc. is one example that illustrates the many ways management and union members can work together to protect the environment for generations to come, while at the same time, investing in a more sustainable bottom line. The company — an over 60-year- old fruit grower-owned cooperative that makes apple sauce, apple juice, and pie fillings — employs 88 members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) 951.

Recognizing that the company and its employees rely heavily on the environment for their livelihoods, Knouse Foods decided to double down on its commitment to sustainability by incorporating more of these practices into every step of its operations. >>View Article

July 16 -- Earlier this month, the White House announced the launch of a series of measures intended to make solar power more accessible to low- and middle-income households. Brian Deese, senior adviser to President Barack Obama on climate, said the administration aims to “deploy low-cost solar energy in every community in the country."

Ten or 15 years ago, that would have been unthinkable, because solar was too expensive. But the price in the U.S. has dropped precipitously in recent years. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, the cost of installing solar panels on the average home has plummeted 70 percent since 1998, from nearly $86,000 for a 5-kilowatt installation (the average residential solar array) to just $26,000 in 2014. >>View Article

July 16 -- Renewable energy, combined with prolific battery storage, will soon result in vastly cheaper electricity -- and solar power that's less expensive than what fossil fuel-based power plants can produce.

Additionally, solar power with lithium-ion and flow-battery storage systems will make the combination of renewable energy so inexpensive that it will surpass nuclear power and obviate the need for futuristic power sources such as fusion. >>View Article

July 16 -- Nevadans want their state government to promote clean energy.

Nearly 75 percent of respondents in a new poll said it would be appropriate for the government to promote the development and use of renewable energy, such as solar, wind and geothermal power. More than 70 percent said Nevada isn’t doing enough to promote renewable energy. More than 90 percent said consumers should be able to create electricity with rooftop solar panels.

That’s according to the poll of 500 Nevada voters conducted by GOP pollster The Tarrance Group and paid for by local think tank Clean Energy Project. >>View Article

July 16 -- Republican Rep. John Szoka of Cumberland County been criticized by some on the political right for sponsoring a bill that he says could vastly grow the amount of solar-powered electricity production in North Carolina.

On Wednesday Szoka addressed one of complaints by bringing the representative of industrial battery maker Alevo to the legislature to make a presentation about its products. Alevo's batteries are designed to store electricity for utility companies, including electricity from solar farms and wind farms, to help them maintain a consistent supply. >>View Article

July 15 -- One can understand Pam Bondi's worry that certain Floridians might misunderstand the solar power ballot initiative.

Not that she need concern herself with ordinary citizens. They know they'll be voting on a constitutional amendment that would allow consumers to generate electricity from their own or leased solar panels and sell the excess -- up to two megawatts a day -- to adjacent businesses and property owners. >>View Article

July 15 -- Every day, new evidence rolls in showing that climate change is a present and growing danger. Epic droughts, extreme rainfall and floods, melting glaciers, rising oceans, dying and burning forests. The hottest global four months on record after the hottest year on record.

Scientists are virtually unanimous in their conclusion that burning fossil fuels is the primary cause of our warming and destabilizing climate. Scientists are also clear that we must make deep cuts in emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to leave our children and grandchildren a livable world. That’s what motivates this grandfather to take action. >>View Article

July 15 -- The power of the sun is turning into savings for the Utah National Guard and Utah’s taxpayers.

At the south end of Camp Williams, nearly 4,000 solar panels are generating about a quarter of the facility's energy needs.

“We believe in being good stewards of all of our resources,” said Brig. Gen. Dallen Atack, assistant adjutant general with the Utah National Guard. “This is an opportunity for us to become more green.” >>View Article

July 15 -- A group of U.S. senators, including Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz have introduced legislation to extend the federal tax credit on renewable energy equipment for homeowners who want to utilize solar photovoltaics, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and small wind turbines.

On Tuesday, Schatz, D-Hawaii, and other senators said they want to extend the 30 percent residential energy efficient property tax credit, which ends on Dec. 31, 2016, by five years, through the introduction of Senate Bill 1755. >>View Article

July 14 -- It’s July, it’s beautiful out, and all thoughts naturally turn to… the Clean Power Plan! This historic, first-ever nationwide limit on carbon emissions from power plants will be finalized within weeks. Many of my colleagues and I have spent months deep in the weeds of the technical details of the draft proposal. But it’s important to look at the big picture, and think about why we’re doing this. Here are six reasons I really care about this powerhouse of a rule – and why you might too. >>View Article